Lee Byung-ho, President of Korea Rural Community Corporation, Urges Prompt Recovery at Flood Damage Site

Published 25 Jul.2023 17:48(KST)

On the 25th, Lee Byung-ho, President of the Korea Rural Community Corporation, received a report on the heavy rain response situation at Sanho Drainage Pump Station and Songjeong Reservoir in Dasi-myeon, Naju City, and urged everyone to prioritize the lives and safety of the people with a strong determination to swiftly restore and respond.

According to the Jeonnam Regional Headquarters on the day, from early dawn the previous day, heavy rain of about 30 to 60 mm per hour poured over the Gwangju-Jeonnam area, causing a rapid rise in river water levels such as Yeongsan River Boncheon and Gomakwoncheon, putting drainage pump stations near rivers, including Sanho Drainage Pump Station, at risk of flooding.

President Lee Byung-ho inspected the heavy rain response situation on the 25th at Sanho Drainage Pump Station and Songjeong Reservoir in Dasim-myeon, Naju City.
[Photo by Jeonnam Regional Headquarters, Korea Rural Community Corporation]

In response, employees of the Jeonnam Headquarters and branch offices continued to stack sandbags around the drainage pump stations and pump out water using temporary pumps to block water from entering the electrical and mechanical rooms inside the pump stations. Currently, drainage of most flooded farmland has been completed.

President Lee Byung-ho said, “As extreme heavy rain continues, more thorough inspections and preparations are needed for areas prone to habitual flooding or safety vulnerabilities,” adding, “In case of a crisis, please do your best to prevent damage through rapid situation reporting and organic cooperation with related organizations.”

Director Cho Young-ho of the headquarters stated, “Due to continuous rainfall, malfunctions and inoperable facilities of mechanical devices have occurred, so we are mobilizing all personnel to minimize damage caused by the facilities,” and added, “We will prioritize areas at high risk of disasters such as soil erosion and continue immediate restoration.”

Meanwhile, the Jeonnam Headquarters plans to continue operating the Disaster Safety Situation Room until emergency restoration is completed, preventing damage from guerrilla-style extreme heavy rain even after the heavy rain warning was lifted on the 18th.